Happy #15 Anna!!!

I bet you think I forgot to blog this, eh? Well, I didn't. :)
I have been thinking all day long about what to say about my sweet little girl that isn't quite so little anymore.

You were my first. I remember like yesterday the day you were born. To this day I wonder sometimes what our Heavenly Father was thinking entrusting me with you, to be your mom.

Anna, you need to know a few things...
First, I am more proud everyday of the beautiful young woman you are becoming. I admire your strength and determination. I admire your outlook on life and that you know you have a voice in this world and I admire your ability to use it. I admire your testimony and am greatful for the influence you have in our home. You are a choice spirit that your Heavenly Father saved for this time and place for a reason. He knew the world you would be coming into and He knew you could handle it. You are special. I can't wait to see what kind of a mother you turn out to be...a pretty darn good one if right now is any indicator.
I am proud to know you and call you daughter.
Happy Birthday sweet girl. I love you more than you will ever know.
-Mom


p.s. Sorry about the not so updated photo...I knew you would just love that I put it on here. You know what I always say...its like the shoemaker's kids going without shoes. :)

Now what do we do?

Well...its Tuesday today. "Yeah, so what", you say.

To some Tuesday is just that...Tuesday. To most there is nothing special about it...just the day after Monday...and the day before Wednesday. But not around here.

Tuesday around here is TUESDAY!!!!!

What's so special about Tuesday? Um...Hello!!!! AMERICAN IDOL!!!!

Oh, that's right...the AI finale was LAST week. (sigh)
And now the let down begins...

Yes, I know...we are junkies. Complete, bonified, certified junkies...of AI that is. I even get to call it AI...no long drawn out name here...I get to use its nickname... cuz we're tight like that. We fell in love half way through the first season and by the time the big showdown between Ruben and Clay took place, it was hook, line, and sinker all the way, baby! (Clay was totally robbed!)

Many may think we're a little nutty...and in all truth...we are. And its true, the show is a tad bit corny sometimes. But it is the one show our whole family can watch and enjoy together.
And believe me...we enjoy it!

Anyway...I guess this is good bye till next season.

Hurry up already, would ya?!

Disclaimer: If you are afraid of heights this isn't gonna help any!!

I have to say...I am always up for a good adventure...and a scaredy-cat I am not...but this...well, watch for yourselves! :) (keep watching...the first minute or so is tame)

I can tell you what we WON'T be doing on Memorial Day weekend

I pulled into the driveway today (I seem to be doing a lot of that lately) and the kids come tearing around the corner from the back yard saying "Mom you gotta come look at this!!"
So I follow them around back and up the deck to check out what they are so excited about...I open the BBQ and find this...


It seems incredible that this little production has been taking place right on our own back deck with the rest of us none the wiser. Of course I warned pain of death into the kids that they can't touch the eggs or the nest...I hope we haven't done too much damage already by opening the BBQ.
The small feeling of excitement I felt made me feel like one of the kids. I have to say...I think Someone upstairs knew I needed a special pick me up this week. I can't wait to see how this one turns out.

It is so overrated!!!!

What is overrated, you ask?

The answer to that question is.........DRIVING!!!

Remember the days when we were young and impressionable? The couple of years prior to our sixteenth birthdays...the years spent being jealous of the juniors and seniors' (and the occasional older sophmores) cars parked in the school parking lot? We dreamed of the big day when we were old enough to get behind the wheel ourselves. We daydreamed of the make, model, and color our car would be...imagining our parents might actually give in and buy us that car on that magical day. Of course for most of us, that dream was quickly shattered and reality was flashed in our faces.

Reality for me was an old 1978 Ford LTD. The words Big Red and Tuna Boat readily come to mind. It was an aquired taste for sure, but eventually I loved that car...it was uglier than sin and HUGE...but I kicked you-know-what in impromtu races everywhere I went. The eight miles to the gallon pretty much sucked, but at 16 and 17 and even 18, who was worried about gas...there weren't any other bills to pay, so worry free it was!

Well, as much as I still appreciate cars and all their handy conveniences...I am so sick to death of driving I could throw up right this minute!
I have spent the better part of the last three weeks in...you guessed it...MY CAR!!!!

Gone are the days of getting excited to drive to the store for just a gallon of milk...being more than happy about picking up my younger brother from wherever...they are Gone...Caput...History...Finito!!

I knew what I signed up for when I chose to have five kids (not really, just saying that 'cause it sounds good)...but now I know what people are talking about when they say...just wait till you have older kids that can drive.

One year, eighteen days and counting! :) (I will live to regret that statement...but for now it sums it all up nicely)